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FEMA Denies Key Disaster Aid Requests for Colorado Fire Victims

FEMA Denies Key Disaster Aid Requests for Colorado Fire Victims

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied specific portions of Colorado's request for disaster aid following the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires in Pueblo and Custer counties. While the federal government approved Colorado's Major Disaster Declaration for other requests, including public assistance for critical infrastructure repair and debris cleanup, FEMA rejected the Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program components. Individual Assistance would have provided direct financial help to affected residents for temporary housing and home rebuilding. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program aims to support communities in rebuilding efforts and reduce their vulnerability to future events. Governor Jared Polis expressed disappointment with the denial, emphasizing the state's ongoing efforts to coordinate debris cleanup with local governments. The state is currently evaluating its options and next steps, including a potential appeal of FEMA's decision within 30 days.

Arizona Republic

Arizona's home insurance rates soar 71%. Here's how you can cut costs

Arizona's home insurance rates soar 71%. Here's how you can cut costs

Home insurance rates jumped 71% across Arizona between 2020 and 2025 and now are higher than the state's annual property taxes.

Senator Hickenlooper Calls for Swift Investigation into Wildland Firefighter Deaths Amidst Intense Fire Season

Senator Hickenlooper Calls for Swift Investigation into Wildland Firefighter Deaths Amidst Intense Fire Season

Senator John Hickenlooper has urged a 'swift and thorough' federal investigation into the deaths of four wildland firefighters from the Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew. The firefighters died in late June and July while battling blazes near the Colorado-Utah border. The initial report on the incident highlights extreme conditions, including winds gusting over 50 miles per hour and bone-dry fuels. Three firefighters died at the scene after deploying fire shelters, and a fourth succumbed to injuries weeks later. This tragedy occurred during an intense wildfire season, exacerbated by historically low snowpacks and a record-shattering spring heat wave, which many in the wildfire community attribute to human-caused climate change. The incident has sparked critical questions within the firefighting community regarding policies and priorities, particularly concerning direct attack strategies in extreme fire conditions. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy has defended direct attack as an effective m...

Rocky Mountain Community Radio Hosts Statewide Call-In Show on Colorado River Crisis

Rocky Mountain Community Radio Hosts Statewide Call-In Show on Colorado River Crisis

Rocky Mountain Community Radio recently hosted a special statewide call-in show to discuss the ongoing crisis of the Colorado River. The program, broadcast live on September 17, 2026, across multiple public radio stations including Aspen Public Radio, KDNK, KBUT, KSUT, KVNF, KGNU, and KHEN, focused on the severe drought conditions and new federal regulations that are leading to significant water cuts for Lower Basin states. A key aspect of the discussion was to explore the potential impacts of these changes on Upper Basin states, particularly Colorado. The show featured expert guests, including Shannon Mullane, a reporter specializing in Colorado River and water issues for The Colorado Sun; Jim Lochhead, former CEO of Denver Water and a long-serving representative for Colorado on interstate Colorado River operations; and Allie Mazurek, the engagement climatologist with the Colorado Climate Center. The program was co-hosted by Rocky Mountain Community Radio rural climate reporter Caroline Llanes and Luke Ru...

Upper Midwest Faces Flash Flood Risk as Heavy Rains Expected

Upper Midwest Faces Flash Flood Risk as Heavy Rains Expected

The Upper Midwest is under a 'Slight Risk' of flash flooding on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa. This threat is expected to shift eastward by Saturday, impacting the Great Lakes states, with downpours potentially drenching an area stretching from Nebraska to Michigan. Additionally, regions near the Rockies, including Colorado and Montana, could experience similar conditions. This flooding risk is part of a broader pattern of potentially dangerous deluges affecting the Southwest, Intermountain West, and Midwest, which began Friday and is projected to continue into Monday and Tuesday. The intensified super El Niño is contributing to these conditions, leading to record-warm Pacific waters that are loading the atmosphere with more moisture, as noted by meteorologist Ben Noll in The Washington Post. Climate change is also cited as a factor exacerbating these extreme weather events.

Colorado Fire Leaders Demonstrate Wildfire-Resistant Home Construction Amidst Escalating Public Safety Crisis

Colorado Fire Leaders Demonstrate Wildfire-Resistant Home Construction Amidst Escalating Public Safety Crisis

Colorado's Division of Fire Prevention and Control, alongside the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, conducted a demonstration at the West Metro Fire Rescue Training Center in Lakewood. The event showcased the stark difference in fire resistance between a home built with standard materials and one designed with wildfire-conscious construction. While the conventionally built home was quickly engulfed in flames, the wildfire-mitigated structure remained largely untouched. Mike Morgan, director of Colorado's Division of Fire Prevention and Control, emphasized that the fire problem has shifted from a natural resource issue to a public safety crisis, necessitating stronger, more resilient communities. The demonstration highlighted the importance of a 'system of actions' for wildfire protection, including specific materials for roofs, vents, siding, and maintaining a five-foot clear zone around homes.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Two years after Helene, recovery remains unfinished across WNC

Two years after Helene, recovery remains unfinished across WNC

Thousands of projects remain in FEMA’s pipeline as communities continue repairing infrastructure damaged by Helene.

Pueblo Chile Nominated for Colorado's 2028 American Innovation Coin by Governor Polis

Pueblo Chile Nominated for Colorado's 2028 American Innovation Coin by Governor Polis

Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced on September 17 that the Pueblo chile, specifically the Mosco variety developed by Dr. Mike Bartolo, has been nominated to be featured on Colorado's 2028 American Innovation Coin. This $1 coin is part of a multi-year series by the United States Mint honoring American innovation across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has already selected a preferred design, labeled CO-01, which depicts a chile plant with mirasol peppers reaching towards the sun, set against a mountainous background and inscribed with 'Colorado Pueblo Chile.' The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee is scheduled to review the design in early October, with the final selection to be made by the Secretary of the Treasury.

Colorado Governor Reports Foreign Cyberattacks on Small Water Providers

Colorado Governor Reports Foreign Cyberattacks on Small Water Providers

Colorado Governor Jared Polis's office has reported that 'foreign actors' targeted small, private water providers within the state. These incidents involved individuals altering equipment settings, disabling remote access and alarms, and modifying pumping cycles. The affected systems served fewer than 200 people each. While the governor's office did not explicitly name the foreign actors, they indicated awareness of Iranian activity targeting water systems across the country. The incidents were brief, and the risks were quickly addressed by the providers themselves, who then alerted state authorities. Crucially, treatment processes and water quality were not impacted in either reported incident. This disclosure follows a broader trend, with multiple sources indicating that at least a dozen states have reported possible cyber intrusions targeting water and wastewater utilities.

New Mexico Sues FEMA for $61 Million in Wildfire Compensation

New Mexico Sues FEMA for $61 Million in Wildfire Compensation

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in U.S. District Court, seeking over $61 million. This compensation is intended to fund the New Mexico National Guard's ongoing wildfire and flood response efforts in the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon area for the next decade. The lawsuit comes after FEMA reportedly denied the state's request twice. The Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, ignited by two prescribed burns by the U.S. Forest Service in April 2022, became the largest wildfire in New Mexico's history, burning over 341,000 acres. Subsequent heavy rains on the burn scar have led to persistent widespread flooding. Governor Lujan Grisham deployed the National Guard to assist residents with evacuations, debris removal, and flood damage prevention, and their work in the affected areas is ongoing.

Flood Watches Persist Across Southwest States

Flood Watches Persist Across Southwest States

The Desert Southwest is experiencing significant flooding due to robust monsoonal moisture and a weak tropical system. Flood watches remain active in western and northern New Mexico, southeast Utah, and southwest Colorado. Heavy rainfall has led to flash flooding, with rainfall rates exceeding 1 to 2 inches per hour in some areas. In Arizona, Maricopa County saw water rescues, and parts of Phoenix received up to 3.9 inches of rain. The National Weather Service warns of flash flooding risks in wildfire burn scars, urban areas, and regions with saturated ground. A strong upper-level low is also contributing to widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region. Source time: Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT.

Heavy Rain and Dry Storms Raise Risks Across the West

Heavy Rain and Dry Storms Raise Risks Across the West

A surge of moisture from Mexico is bringing repeated showers and thunderstorms across the Southwest and Rockies through the weekend, with flash flooding and debris flows possible in flood-prone areas and wildfire burn scars. Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana face the greatest concerns. Meanwhile, dry thunderstorms in parts of the Northwest could raise wildfire risk. Mesa, Arizona, already received 3.2 inches of rain in less than six hours.